PM Modi congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the ISS during Axiom-4, as India returned to space after more than four decades
His statement came after he, along with the other crew members, entered the International Space Station (ISS) following the successful docking of their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft
41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s space journey, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is now aboard the International Space Station.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday welcomed the successful launch of Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station and said astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 140 crore Indians. "We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US," Modi said in a post on X. He said Group Captain Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station. "He carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wish him and other astronauts all the success," Modi said. The Axiom-4 mission, marking the return to space for India, Hungary and Poland, blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 pm on Wednesday. The astronauts will spend 14 days at the International Space Station conducting over 60 science experiments.
Axiom-4 launch highlights: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on a private mission
His 14-day mission at the International Space Station will include around 60 intense research experiments representing 31 countries
Shubhanshu Shukla, who will be at the International Space Station for 14 days, is expected to carry out a series of scientific experiments
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will spend 14 days aboard ISS under Axiom-4 mission. He will be carried to the orbit by SpaceX's Falcon 9
The Axiom-4 launch will commence from Launch Complex 39A at Nasa's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will be utilising a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched by its Falcon 9 rocket
After multiple delays, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others are all set to travel to the International Space Station on Wednesday with SpaceX announcing that the weather was 90 per cent favourable for lift-off. "All systems are looking good for Wednesday's launch of @Axiom_Space's Ax-4 mission to the @Space_Station and weather is 90% favorable for liftoff," SpaceX, which is providing transport for the space mission, said in a post on X. NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are now targeting 12.01 PM (IST), Wednesday, June 25, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4, NASA said. The mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company's Falcon 9 rocket. The targeted docking time is approximately 4.30 pm IST on Thursday, June 26, NASA said in a statement. Peggy Whitso
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become India's second astronaut in space after Rakesh Sharma
Citing safety concerns after ISS repair checks, Nasa withdrew from Axiom-4, prompting Axiom to halt the mission indefinitely and Isro to recall its astronaut crew
Nasa has delayed the Axiom-4 mission launch for a sixth time, citing ISS readiness concerns; the crew includes India's Shubhanshu Shukla and marks a milestone for India, Poland, and Hungary
Nasa and Isro are set to launch NISAR dual-frequency radar satellite under a $1.5B partnership, marking a major milestone in US-India space cooperation
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station has been postponed to June 22, to allow NASA to evaluate the operations on the orbital lab after the recent repairs in the Russian section, Axiom Space announced on Wednesday. The Axiom-4 mission, which marks the return to space for India, Hungary, and Poland, was earlier scheduled for lift-off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 19 onboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. "NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are now targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 22, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4," Axiom Space said in a statement. "The change in a targeted launch date provides NASA time to continue evaluating space station operations after recent repair work in the aft (back) most segment of the International Space Station's Zvezda service module," it said. The Axiom-4 commercial mission is led by Commander Peggy Whitson, with .
Originally set for June 11, the Ax-4 launch was delayed after a Falcon 9 oxygen leak and a separate issue in the ISS's Russian-built Zvezda module prompted safety checks
Elon Musk has voiced serious concerns over the long-term safety of the International Space Station (ISS), citing the ageing condition of its components, and called for its de-orbiting within two years despite SpaceX's ongoing involvement."There are potentially serious concerns about the long-term safety of the @Space_Station. Some parts of it are simply getting too old, and that risk grows over time."Even though @SpaceX earns billions of dollars from transporting astronauts & cargo to the ISS, I nonetheless would like to go on record recommending that it be de-orbited within 2 years," Musk posted on X.Meanwhile, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working closely with Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX to responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the Ax-4 delay, reflecting growing collaboration between India and leading global space agencies, including Musk's companies.V Narayanan, the Secretary DOS/ Chairman ISRO and Chairman Space Commission, said ..
V Narayanan, the Secretary DOS/ Chairman Isro and Chairman Space Commission said that safety and mission integrity were their priorities
Axiom Mission 4, carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, has been delayed as Nasa and Roscosmos investigate a pressure anomaly in the ISS's Zvezda service module
In a statement, SpaceX announced that it was 'standing down' from the Falcon 9 launch of the Axiom-4 mission, which will be carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others